do you check your online statements as much as you would your paper statements?

chattychappy

I check more often. Usually after a statement's issued and again after I've made a payment. I also tend to check after any significant transactions or foreign ATM withdrawals.

I've stopped paper statements. I've never had to "prove" my finances to anybody including the "UK Government" (unlike Marvin above). I keep proper receipts, inc VAT receipts where appropriate. So I regard the paper statements as history by the time I receive them and a (small) security risk.

JamesK10

The day my bank tries to force paperless statements is the day I switch. The DWP did accept online statements but that was ten years ago when it wasn't so common. As posted above other government departments want them stamped etc and you usually have to pay a charge to the bank for dates older than whatever's on screen.

The OP mentioned credit cards, one reason for getting rid of MBNA was that I didn't rate the security of their site, after looking at it a couple of times I put the details for making payments into my online banks rather than logging in directly.

It's a gradual thing though, the other account which is run online, they'll only send you a paper statement when they decide there's been enough account activity to warrant one - since that one has no direct debits to worry about, that's also fine and stops me drowning in paper. There's a small postal risk but since banks have annual bulk compensation from Royal Mail, the postie tends to make sure it arrives!

dada44

JamesK10 wrote: »

after looking at it a couple of times I put the details for making payments into my online banks rather than logging in directly.

heya, not sure what you mean by this ?

Better_Off_1983

I check my online statements everyday... even though I know what they will say, I like to confirm what I already know, so if there is anything untoward, I can query it immediately.

azzabazza

I check my online bank and credit card statements at least 3 or 4 times weekly. No paper bank statement but still receive paper credit card statement. I like to keep credit card statements as this can be proof of when an item has been purchased. I use my credit card for all purchases across a month and pay the whole balance when paper statement arrives.

Own_My_Own

I have a banking app on my phone, so check it nearly every day as it only takes a couple of minutes. I also have paper bills for filing.

jonesMUFCforever

The only thing wrong with online statements is that they lock you out of them if you close the account.
If everyone let you have access for say 6 years I might consider it but otherwise its a big NO from me.

chattychappy

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

The only thing wrong with online statements is that they lock you out of them if you close the account.
If everyone let you have access for say 6 years I might consider it but otherwise its a big NO from me.

Yep, true and I agree it's not acceptable. It can also be a problem if you lose a card or there is some fraud on the account.

I download statements as soon as they are available in order to be sure I have access to them. Also I'm often on a slow overseas connection so once downloaded I have quicker access.

CCs vary - some let you download a PDF which is pretty much the same as you would get in the post, others a less useful version.

dzug1

I keep a spreadsheet with all transactions on it

Provided the total that agrees to the penny with what I see online, I don't check the online details THAT carefully. Glance over it to see that I recognise every payee, but not the detail

If it doesn't agree then I work out why - usually a typo in the spreadsheet, a forgotten transaction or entered under the wrong card.

Then when the paper statement comes I do check all the vouchers against it - file any for major purchases and shred supermarket ones and the like.

dada44

so you keep a record of every transaction that you make?

very interesting. never thought of doing that, but may do now. thanks